© 2005-2006 Ann Marie Bradley

From
"Blue Moon Magic"
in Blue Moon Enchantment

Hot. The dark-haired, handsome image of a man. His nearness kindled feelings of fire, and like a narcotic gave her a euphoric feeling. Her heart beat with the pulse of the waves hitting the beach. His white shirt billowed open to the center of his chest. His gaze riveted on her face, then moved over her body slowly. Her skin tingled. The air around her electrified; her heart jolted and her pulse pounded. She tried to throttle the dizzying current racing through her as he stepped forward and cupped her face with his large hand. In one fluid motion she was in his arms, her curves molding to the contours of his lean body. He held her so tenderly her body ached for more, but…no, don’t leave! What are you doing? Without a word, he turned away and walked across the beach.

She opened her eyes. Moonlight sifted through the windows, glistening on the golden ceiling stars and lighting the unfamiliar room. Disoriented, her gaze darted about until the shapes became familiar. Hotel Castle. She fell back on the pillow, wrapped in a serene quiet, and tried to remember the dream. He’d been so close, she’d felt the heat from his body. She touched a finger to her lips and they felt warm and moist from his kisses. Drugged with desire, she rose and crossed the room to the French doors. Footprints in the white sand drew her outside. Should she follow? Had he been real after all? The almost-full moon glinted on something in the sand. She bent and reached for the object. Her fingers curled around a smooth, cool ring. A man’s ring. She turned it toward the moon’s light and traced the unusual design with a finger. A ruby encircled with diamonds, with some sort of crest on each side. Funny, but it looked familiar somehow.

"If I find the owner of this ring, I’ll find my prince.” Claire giggled and looked up at the clear evening sky and its Blue Moon.

What had Aunt Lizy told her before she’d left? Oh yes, some nonsense about a Blue Moon appearing this month. “The second full moon in a month is magical, child. It only happens once every two years, so you must be certain to make a wish on it.”